Pencil



Nov. 1.7, 1931. J. B. zlMDARs' E'r AL PENCIL INVENTOR EUC-NE CArennGLnA MAQTIN M. SNHTH Filed Feb. 11,

- JOHN B. zIMDAnS, EUGENE S. ciiRNIGrLIA, `AND MARTIN ivi.

Patented Nov. 17, 1931 CALIFORNIA PENCIL Application mea February ii, 1929; Serial' No. 339,230.

` lead pencil formed of alead containing casing and a housing,on which the casing is adapted to be pivotally mounted, whereby the lead projecting from the casing may be either concealed within the housing vor allowed t0 pro- A1^() ject therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lead pencil formed by combining a lead containing casing with a Supporting housing that is'adapted to'protect the pointed end of the lead casing when lin a concealed position and to provide an extension for the lead containing casing when inthe extended position, and to also provide a lead sharpening device iii an end of the housing that is adapted to be moved into or from contact with the lead for sharpening purposes, there being a gauge adjacent the lead Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to be eX- tended from-the casing, which-said gauge is automatically removed from the Sharpener when the said sharpener is moved 'into position to sharpen the lead. Y l

A still further object of the invention isto providev a circular housing having anend thereof bifurcated to pivotally support therebetween a lead containing 'casing, whereby said casing may be swimg around end for end, with the end of the casing from which the lead-projects either concealed within the cas-Y ing or extended axially therefrom7 in conjunction with a Sharpener in the housing, and a gauge relative to the sliarpener, to regulate the length of the lead to be sharpened, to a predetermined length, preliminarily to moving the Sharpener relative to the lead to sharpen the saine.

Other objects of the invention are to lprovide a lead pencil having a-lead containing casing therein and with a splity ended lead barrel in the casing for holding the said lead iii a selected position therein; a housing for holding the lead casing whereby the said lead casing is tree( to be swung on thehousing; a lead sharpening device for sharpening the lead projecting from the casing and having a means to auton'iatically` gauge the length of the lead to be sharpenedj'an erasing-device tobe iiiountedon the `opposite end ofthe movable Sharpener; and yto provide a lead pencil that will be superior inV point ofy simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positivenessfof operation, andfacility and convenien'cein use and general eiciency.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, thefinventionis illustrated in the form considered tobe the best, butitis to be understood that the invention is not limited to'such forni, because it may be `embodied inl other forms; and it is alsoto be understood that in and by the claims Ifollowing the description,

vit is desired to cover the invention inwhatsoever form itmay beembodied.'V In vthe accompanyingone Sheet of Fig. l represents an actual size side elevationA of a lead pencil constructed in accordance with our invention, withthelead-casing in thewriting-position.` f.

Fig. 2 is an actual size view-ofthe pencil showing vthe lead casing in the concealed position.k i 1' Fig. Sis a ydouble Sized elevation 4of the jpencil inthe writing position, partly broken away-to show-the gauge for determining theY length of the ,lead to be sliarpened.-

. Fig. 4 is an elevationofthe pencilwith the lead casing in the concealed positionfandthe lead .to be sharpened resting on the gauge.

` Fig.' 5 isa Side elevation of'tlie-leadcasing and supporting housing showing thef'lead cas-y ing being swung from the' concealedV to the writing position, or vice versa. J Fig.- 6 is a fragmentary section f showing kthe lead casing in vconcealed position within the housing, and the lead Sharpener engaged with the lead inthe sharpeningposition. Fig. Tis la vertical cross section ythrough the pencil in the writing position, with the lead removed fronifthe .barreland the sharpening device innormal position withdrawn by swivellymounting the lead casing onjthe fr ice housing.

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Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross section taken through Fig. 3 on the line 9 9.

Fig. 10 is a view of the eraser holding means, partially withdrawn from the cavity in which the said eraser is contained.

Fig. l1- is a sideelevationof the' casing for holding'the-lead Sharpeners.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the sharpener element removed from thev casing.

` radeau the @distraction illustrated `in the' drawings, comprises a cylindrical lead' containing casing 1, having a constricted and` cone shaped end 2, through whichsharpened writing lead is adapted to project. The casing 1 is reduced in diameter as at 3, throughout the gre'aterflength 'thereof to provide an annular` 1 shoulder 4 *near the 'tapered end thereof. The casing is'provided with a circular groove'5 around vthe outside thereof Vsubstantially midway between the opposite ends ofthe/said casing'. A circular housing 6 is provided with cylindrical'end' 7 and Yhas its opposite'end y in egt-"corresponding points'on opposite sidesV thereof, to pass half way around the' circumference :of each of the pins 10. and 11, vsaid endof fthe'sl'eeve 12 being confnedbetween the heads of the pins and the inner face vof l'the bi'furc'atedarms.- There-'is a slight clearance or play'y around the heads 'of the pins' 10 vand 11 to allow the'outwards'winging ofthe arms .8 and`9. 'A' sleeve 14,1sin1ilartolthe sleeve 12, is Vpassedov'er ftheother end of the 'casing 3, one' end of said sleeve- 14 being provided with af's'emi-'circular notch 13 'at :correspondind kpoints on 'opposite Isides "th'ereof, toY -p'ass vha f `'way f around 'the circumference ofthe pins 10 andY 1-1, and topass between the heads on'the endsiof the pins' 10 and 11 and vtheinn'erface'of the arms 8and 9. T heop- Eosite' end'of the sleeve-14 is heldin position ya sleeve 14 threaded at'16 into engagement with the end of the casing 3. The sleeves 12v and 14' meet ata 'point in alignmentwith the axis' Vof the pins lOand 11 andhold ythe ysaid leady casing in a 'position -such that 'it maybe swiveled 'or 'swungfbetwe'en the' arms 8and 9 on the housing. Y l The interior" of the 'leadA 'cfa-sing f1 is v hollow and an end ther'eof'is =internally threaded asat- 17. knurled handled adjustingscrew 18 is threaded into engagement with-the threaded interior of the lead casing, to be screwed in or out relative thereto. The screw 18 is provided with an internal shoulder 19 on the inner end thereof, to engage a shoulder 19 on the outside of one end of a lead barrel 2O extending centrally within the casing' 1. The opposite end of the barrel 20 is slotted lengthwise as at 21 and the outside of said end is tapered, as at 22, to engage `thefconeesha ed interior ofthe 'casino' 1. lJ e The inside of the end of the barrel is roughened as at 23 to provide a gripping face for the lead contained in said barrel. When the screw 418A isscrewedinwardly, the lead barrel 20 is urged toward the cono-shaped end of thek casing, whereby the tapered split end of said`` lead I 'barrel' is constrictcd' and thereby produces a vsqueezing effect on the lead contained within the barrel. Thev writing lead 24jis contained within the 'barrel 20 and the lead is liXedly Vpositioned within the barrel by the'splitfends ofi said barrel being forced into engagement -therewith as the said lead barrel is urged ytoward the tapered end of the casing. The lead 24 may be projected outwardly'from the'e'n'd of the lead barrel by unloo'sening the -sqr'ieezing pressure exerted thereon by the tapered end of the lead casing. The lead is not lscrew vfed from the barrel'asVl in the caseofa great many selffeeding pencils, but instead is caused to be dropped by 'its own-weight the desired distance 'when sufficient freedom to move is granted by the `V`lead containing barrel. Loosening the screw 18 -draws back the vlead barrel 20 from engagement with thetapered end of the casingl. l

The 'lead casing 1,=`1nay be swung end for end throughand between thearms 8 and 9, and aligned axiallywith the yhousing 7, with either'end of the casing concealed within the housing. The arms 8 andi-9 are-loose enough and: have'suiiicient resiliency to permit the forcible movement of eitherendof thelead containing'casing the'rethr'eugh and each of the arms 8 and V9 possesses a small amount'of the curvatureof the: housing 7, to securely hold 'the casing-in axial alignment therewith. However,- we have vfound that-itis desirable to'augmen't the curvature' of the inner face of the arms 8 and 9 and this `we have done by providing a'disheddepression 25 on the inner side'of` ea'chof the arms 8 and 9 within which the outside of the casing will lie when either in the vconcealed or writing position. When the lead end of the casing is placed in an axially extended position relative tothe housing 7, theassembly'is of a length well suited for writing purposes, and whenthe writing end of the-casing'is reversed, so as to lie in-aconcealed positionwithin the-housing, tlr over-all length-ofv the assembly is reduced-and' a vvrelatively vsmall sized device 4isifo'rmed,v that is'nottoo bulky to be con- .veniently `carriedl in. the.;y pocket;

J prevent the said lead barrel lVlien' `the leadend ofthe casing is placed in the writingV position, the grooves 25 onv the same as the internal diameter of the hous-f ing, is projected therein, the outer end of the tube 27 being threaded externally to engage with the threaded interior 26 of the housing. An internal shoulder 28 is providedon the end of the tube 27 that is concealed within the housing @,Aand an internal shoulder 29 is provided around the interior of the tube 27 in spaced relation to the shouldered end 28 thereof. A dual diametered sleeve 30 is mounted within the tube 27 the smaller diametered portion 31 of said sleeve being slidable through within the shoulders 28 and 29, and the larger' diametered end 32 of said sleeveV being slidably confined by the inner circumference of the sleeve 27. A collar 33 is provided around the sleeve`27 between the shoulders 28 and 29 to limit the reciprocating or axial movement of the sleeve. 'An expansion spring 34 is confined between the shoulder 35 on the sleeve 30 and the annularshoulder 29 on the tube 27. The spring 34 acts to keep the collar 33 on the said sleeve in engagement with the shoulder 29-on `the tube 27 and to resist movement of the sleeve 301 lengthwise within the said tube 27 A plurality of radially disposed and converging cutters 3G forming a sl-shaped vcutting notch 37 therein are arranged m spaced relation around the inner end of the sleeve 30 facing an end of thelead casing 1. The notch 37 of the cutters is adapted to receive the end of the writing lead therein, to sharpen the same. n l

In order to have the proper length of lead extended from the lead casingfor pointing purposes, the operator places'the lead end of the `casing in the concealed position within the housing and allows the lead to fall into engagement with a gauge 38 that lies across the notch entering into the sharpeners 36 as is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7, and'then advances the screw 18 to grip the lead in the barrel. The gauge 38 is pivoted at 39 in a bracket 40 mounted on the side of the sharpener sleeve 30. The gauge 38 is provided with a depending projection 4l on an end thereof, which projection 41 engages the shouldered end 28 of the tube 27. The plates 36 are normally held in a non-sharpening position by reason ofthe spring 34 `holding the Sharpener barrel'3() in a relatively immovable position with-V in the 'tube 27. In this'postion, the projection 41 on the gauge 38 will rest on the' end-0f` thesleeve 27 and position said gauge 38 in aj transverse position within the housing across the -ends fof the cutters `36. When the llead. casing is swung into the concealed ror sharpening position, as shown in Figs.j 4, andr6, the operator lslides the sharpener tube 30 toward the lead, which actionslides the notch i-ntheeutters up around the outside of the lead tobe pointedfand at :the same time moves the gauge 38, and the projection 41 thereon, away from thejstationary sleeve 27, thereby removing the transverse support therefrom and permits said gauge to drop into the nonoperating, position shown in F ig. :6. .llVith the Sharpener blades thus engaged, `the casing 1 carrying the lead barrel20 fand lead 24 is rotated so that theipoint of the lead is rotated between the cutters 36until such Ytime as the desired point has been placed on the said lead. During the sharpening operation, the spring 34 is plac-ed undergcompression andas soon as the sharpening pressure is released, the spring '34 automatically causes the Sharpener barrelf30 to be moved `into inoperative position to permit the leadfcasing to be' swung out of the housing for use. j Immediately thatthe sharpenerbarrel 30 is drawn into inoperative position, the gauge 38 automatically swings up into the engaging position, to be in position to engage the end of the lead 24 whenever the lead should Vbe released forprojection.l lThe distance between the upauf Y per sur-face of the .gauge 38 andthe end of the easing from which the lead, 24 is dropped,- is calculatedk to allow fora suiiicient length of lead'to extendfromth'e casing to provide a suitable point for writing purposes, hence, the function of the gauge 38 is merely .to regulate the length of leadthat projects from the lead casing s0 Vthat at all times the user ofthe,

vpencil will be insured of a writing point of wardly as at 45 to bite into the eraser material.

The prongs 45 on the eraser holder permit .the

eraser Vto be used in its entirety merelyby pulling the same outwardlyasthe eraser becomesworn down. The .metal used in mal ing the eraser holding fingers 44 is springy enough so that the eraser and fingers may be formed into the eraser recess 42 to hold said eraser against any escaping action and readily spring out when the eraser is withdrawn.

The cutters 36 are formed outof ak short lengtht of tubing 47, an endrof the vtubingv being cut diagonally along -andaro'und the circumference; thereof, and 'the cut vparts are 'Y bent inward so that the edges `thereof form s the cutters36. lEars'40 are also bent outward on the tubing to form for the gauge 38. n fr Having thus described thisinvention, what we nowV claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A pencil comprised of a lead containing casing; a housing having a bifurcated end pivotally connected to Said casing; a lead Sharpener mounted in the voj'fposite end of said housing and movable axially relative to an end of the lead containing casing; and means across the end of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to proj-ect' from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened, said means being movable toward the Sharpener end into inoperative position the Supporting bracket aS the Sharpener is moved axially toward the end ofthe lead casing.

2. A pencil comprised of a cylindrical housing having an end thereof bifurcated; a lead casing, swingablyv connected to the bifurcated end of said housing and adapted to be aligned axially with said housing; an axially movable lead Sharpener mounted in the cylindrical end'of the housing adapted to be advanced into or out of .contact with Y the end of the lead casing; and means across the end of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead t`0 project from thelead casing preliminarily to being sharpened, said means'being movable away from the end of the lead as the Sharpener is moved axially toward the end of the lead casing.

3. A pencil comprised of a cylindrical advanced into or out of contact with the end of thelead casing; consisting of converged cutters'forming a V-shaped cutting notch; and means across the end of the Sharpener to'determine the length of the lead to project from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened, said means being movable into inoperative position as the'v Sharpener is moved axially toward the end of the lead casing.

4. A pencil comprised of'a lead containing casing; ahousing swivelly and pivot-ally con nected at one end thereof to said casing; resilient means on said housing to hold said casing in axial alignment therewith: a lead Sharpener mounted in an end of said housing consisting of converged cutters forming a V-shaped cutting notch therein; and means across the end of the Sharpener to determine Vthe length of the lead to project from the lead casing prcliminarily to being sharpened, said means being movable into inoperative position as the Sharpener is moved axially l Y n f; sisting of converged 'cutters forming a -V i toward the end 'of tlie lead-casing.. A

housing having an end thereof bifurcated a lead casing, Swivelly connected to the bifur-` housing and movably axially relative to an.

end of the lead containing casing 5 a gauge pivotally attached to one side of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to project from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened; and a projection on the gauge engaging a Shoulder on the housing to hold the gauge across the end of the sharpener when the Sharpener is inoperative, said gauge being dropped away from the end of the lead byY disengagement of the vShoulder and proj ection when the Sharpener is rendered operative.

6. A pencil comprised of a cylindrical housing having an end thereof bifurcated; a lead casing, swivelly connected to the bifurcated end of said housing and adapted to be aligned axially with said housing; an axially movable lead Sharpener mounted in the cylindrical end 'of the housing adapted to be advanced into or out of contact with the end of the lead casing; a gauge pivotallv attached to one side of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to project from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened; and a projection on the gauge engaging a shoulder on the housing to hold the gauge across the end of 'the Sharpener when the Sharpener is inoperative, said gauge being` dropped away from the end of the lead by disengagement of the shoulder and projection when the sharpener is rendered operative.

7. A pencil comprised of a cylindrical housing having an end thereof bifurcated; a lead casing, Swivelly connected to the bifurcated end of Saidhousing and adapted to be aligned axially with Said housing; an axially movable lead Sharpener mounted in the cylindrical end ofthe housing adapted to be advanced into or out of Contact with the end of the lead casing, consisting of converged cutters forming a V-shaped cutting notch; a gauge pivotally-attached to one side of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to project from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened; and a projection on the gauge engaging a Shoulder on the housing to hold the gauge across the end of the Sharpener when the Sharpener is inoperative. said gauge being dropped away from the point of the lead by disengagement of the shoulder and projection when the Sharpener is rendered operative.

8. A pencil comprised of a lead containing casing; a housing swivelly and pivotally connected at one end thereofto Said casing; resilient means on Said housing to hold said casinginaxial alignment therewith; a lead sharpener mounted in an end of Said housing con- SCi shaped cutting notch therein; a gauge pivotally attached to one side of the Sharpener to determine the length of the lead to project from the lead casing preliminarily to being sharpened; and a projection on the, gauge engaging a shoulder on the'housing to hold the gauge across the end of the sharpenerwhen the Sharpener is inoperative` Said gauge being dropped away from the point of the lead by disengagement of the shoulder and projection when the Sharpener is rendered operative. v

9. A pencil having a` lead containing casing therein; a housing pivotally connected to said casing and alignable therewith; a rof tatable lead Sharpener in the housing movable toward and from the lead casing; and a gauge across the Sharpener to regulate the distance of projection of the lead out of the casing for sharpening purposes.

10. A pencil having a lead containing casing therein; a housing pivotally connected to said casing and alignable therewith; a rotatable lead sharpener in the housing movable toward and from the lead casing; a gauge across the Sharpener to regulate the distance of projection of the lead out ofthe casing for Sharpening purposes: and co-acting means on the gauge'and housing to effect movement of the gauge into and out of operative position as the Sharpener is moved lengthwise in the casing. Y

11. A holder for a pencil lead Sharpener comprising a cylindrical casing 7 having a shoulder therein; a tube having a lead sharpener in an end thereof, reciprocatingly mounted. in the casing; a shoulder on the tube in operative spaced relation to the first shoulder and an expansion spring confined between the casing and tube and between the shoulders on the casing and the tube to resist reciprocating movement of the tube.

12. A lead pencil comprising` a tubular member containing writing lead; a sleeve rotatably mounted around the outside of said member; and a Sharpener holder pivotally connected to the sleeve whereby the member can be rotated inthe sleeve and the sleeve and member can be swung relative to the holder. e

13. A holder for a pencil lead lSharpener comprising a cylindrical casing having a pair of shoulders arranged in lspaced relation therein; a tube, having a lead Sharpener in an end thereof. reciproc'atingly mounted in the casing; a gauge pivotally mounted on the tube to extend across the Sharpener by engagement with an end of the casing; and an expansion spring confined between the casing and tube and between thefshoulders on the casing and the tube to resist reciprocating movement of the tube. said spring normally holding the tube in an inoperative position in the casing and holding the gauge extended across the Sharpener whereby, when the tube is reciprocated into the operative position to overcome the spring tension, the support of the gauge in the extended position by the casing is removed and the gauge is allowed to drop into inoperative position and said gauge isautomatically restored to its extended position when the spring moves the tube into its normal inoperative position.

14. A lead pencil comprising a housing having a lead containing casing pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be swung endfor end into either a writing or non-writing position in axial alignment with the housing; a barrel reciprocatingly mounted in the housing; a Sharpener in an end of the barrel having a V shaped cutting notch therein engageable at any of the three hundred and sixty degrees of its rotative movement with thelead projected from the casing when in the non-writing position.

15. In combination, va lead containing casing and a Sharpener housing connected to said casing7 said'housing having a pair of shouldered heads on diametrically opposite sides of an end thereof engaging an annular groove inthe lead containing casing; sleeves around the said lead containing casing to hold the housing pivots in engagement with the -lead casing to permit Said lead casing to be rotated on its longitudinal axis withinthe Sleeve and to be revolved about the axis of the shouldered heads on the housing.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto Set our hands at San Francisco, California, this 16th day of November, 1928.

' JOHN B. ZIMDARS.

EUGENE S. CARNIGLIA. MARTIN M. SMITH. 

